HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — Democrat Austin Davis was sworn in as Pennsylvania’s next Lieutenant Governor on January 17 after Josh Shapiro’s victory in the gubernatorial race.

Davis, a Pittsburgh-area state lawmaker, will be the state’s first African-American Lieutenant Governor.

“Today we are sending a message to the next generation of leaders – young people across our state, and especially Black and brown young people – that Pennsylvania has and will always be a place where all are welcomed and where everyone has the opportunity to succeed,” said Davis, in his inaugural remarks.

The son of a union bus driver and a hairdresser, Davis was elected to three terms in the state House of Representatives. He resigned from the House after his election to Lt. Governor.

“I say to all the young people watching right now, who are worried and unsure about their future – that the American Dream is alive and well in Pennsylvania. That no matter how you grew up, no matter where you come from, or what you look like – this Commonwealth will always be a place where you can create your own destiny.”

Austin Davis accompanied by his wife Blayre Holmes Davis takes the oath of office to become Pennsylvania’s first Black lieutenant governor, during a ceremony Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023, at the state Capitol in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Austin Davis accompanied by his wife Blayre Holmes Davis arrive in the Senate chambers to become Pennsylvania’s first Black lieutenant governor, during a ceremony Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023, at the state Capitol in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Austin Davis accompanied by his wife Blayre Holmes Davis takes the oath of office, administered by Allegheny County Judge Kim Berkeley Clark to become Pennsylvania’s first Black lieutenant governor, during a ceremony Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023, at the state Capitol in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Democratic Lt. Gov. Austin Davis holds up the Senate gavel after becoming Pennsylvania’s first Black lieutenant governor, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023, at the state Capitol in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Davis served as chair of the Allegheny County House Democratic Delegation and vice-chair of the House Democratic Policy Committee. He also previously served on the House Appropriations Committee, House Consumer Affairs Committee, House Insurance Committee, House Transportation Committee, the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, Climate Caucus, and PA SAFE Caucus.

A special election was called to fill his seat in the State House in Allegheny County in February.

Former Lieutenant Governor candidates

Carrie DelRosso (Republican Nominee)

Originally from Scranton, DelRosso noted on her campaign website that she has time in the state House of Representatives representing District 33 where she “brought a spirit of renewal and energy to stretch of Pennsylvania that has been overlooked for too long.”

DelRosso told abc27’s Dennis Owens she “tells it like it is” and is “very upfront and honest.”

According to her website, her campaign focused on personal liberties, education, illegal immigration, public safety, election integrity, and health insurance costs.

DelRosso was not Mastriano’s endorsed Lt. Governor candidate. Teddy Daniels, who was endorsed by Mastriano, is expected to finish third in the race of nine candidates. DelRosso would not say if she voted for Mastriano in the primary, and said voters wouldn’t be “true Republicans” if they vote for Shapiro in November because they think Mastriano is “too extreme.”

“We win as party, we get together.”

Timothy McMaster (Libertarian Nominee)

Timothy McMaster was approved to run for Lieutenant Governor as a Libertarian with Matt Hackenburg.

Nicole Shultz (Keystone Nominee)

Nicole Schultz was approved to run for Lieutenant Governor with the Keystone Party’s gubernatorial nominee Joe Soloski.

Michael Badges-Canning (Green Nominee)

Michael Badges-Canning was approved as Christine “PK” Digiulio’s running mate for the Green Party.

Primary Candidates

Republicans

John Brown

While Brown is currently the CEO of John Brown Leadership Solutions, Brown’s time in public office includes serving as the Northampton County Executive in 2014.

Brown finished with 4.75% of the vote in the may primary.

Jeff Coleman

Jeff Coleman spent time in the House of Representatives after beating a longtime incumbent.

Coleman finished with 10.11% of the vote in the May primary.

Teddy Daniels

Endorsed by Republican gubernatorial nominee Doug Mastriano, Daniels is a vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump and was outside the U.S. Capitol during the riot on Jan. 6. He is a decorated Combat veteran after being deployed to Afghanistan in the United States Army Infantry.

Daniels lost the May primary after receiving 12.11% of the vote with 150,000 votes.

Russell Diamond

Currently serving his fourth term in the state House of Representatives for the 102nd Legislative District in Lebanon County, Diamond is a member of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Liquor Control, Gaming Oversight, and State Government committees.

Diamond finished with 5.96% of the vote in the May primary.

Christopher Frye Jr.

Frye Jr. is currently the first African American Mayor of New Castle and finished with 4.71% of the vote.

James Jones

Born in Arkansas, Jones joined the United States Navy and then moved to Pennsylvania in 2000. Based out of Hatboro, Jones finished with 9.14% of the vote.

Rick Saccone

After a career as a Counterintelligence Officer and Special Agent in the United States Air Force, Saccone was elected four times to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and ran for Congress in 2018.

Saccone finished second in the May primary with 15.7% of the vote.

Clarice Schillinger

As the executive director of Back to School PA, Schillinger received 11.91% of the vote in the May primary.

Democrats

Brian Sims

The five-term State Representative of Pennsylvania joined the race for the party’s nomination after making history in 2012 when he became the state’s first openly gay candidate to be elected to the Legislature.

Sims finished second in the primary receiving 25% of the vote.